Carpinus caroliniana Walter

American Hornbeam; Blue Beech; Muscle Wood

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

American Hornbeam is a native deciduous tree in the Birch family (Betulaceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. American Hornbeam occurs in mesic to dry hardwood forests, in rocky woods, along streams and rivers, in ravines, and in prairie woods. It is a small tree reaching heights of 30-40 feet. The truck is crooked, irregularly fluted, with smooth light gray bark. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, ovate to elliptic in outline, with doubly serrate margins. The leaves are pubescent on the lower surface, especially along the veins. The leaves turn yellow to red in the autumn before falling. American Hornbeam is monoecious, with separate male and female flowers on the same tree. The flowers are produced in catkins. Male catkins are pendulous and up to 2 inches in length. They are produced on the growth of the previous season. The female catkins are up to1 inch in length, and are produced on the new growth. The fruit is a nutlet subtended by a large leaf-like bract. American Hornbeam has very heavy, dense wood. It is however of limited use due to its small size and crooked trunk. It has been used for tool handles, bowls, and for firewood. The nutlets are consumed by birds and small mammals. American Hornbeam is a small but fast-growing tree that can be used in smaller landscapes. It prefers a moist soil in full to partial shade.—A. Diamond.

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Native FAC (NWPL)

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